Beardy's and Okemasis, a First Nation community, and SkyPower, a Lehman Brothers Co., have entered into an agreement to develop the Willow Cree Wind Project.

The partners' proposed plan includes developing a 100 MW wind park in Big Quill, a rural municipality near Wynyard, Saskatchewan. The project currently encompasses approximately 12,000 acres of land, and construction of the project could start in 2010.

"We chose to partner with SkyPower because of their extensive experience in wind development with First Nations," says Chief Rick Gamble. "Moreover, the Willow Cree Wind Project will generate a reliable source of local benefits - including job training programs, employment for the local community - and have a positive impact on local tourism."